Runner crosses finishing line...3,000 miles away - The Worcester Observer

Runner crosses finishing line...3,000 miles away

Worcester Editorial 25th Sep, 2019   0

A RUNNER who entered a half marathon on the wrong continent by mistake will receive a race finisher’s medal and T-shirt after completing the distance on the same day anyway.

Sheila Pereira booked a place in last Sunday’s Air Products Worcester City Half Marathon only to realise the event was taking place in Worcester, England, and not her home city of Worcester, Massachusetts, in the USA.

Undeterred, Sheila ran the half marathon distance near her home and sent details to the organisers of the UK event 3,200 miles away. In response, they have sent her a race finisher’s pack.

“Participating even though I was some distance from the Worcester City Runs event was awesome,” she said.




“The love of running crosses boundaries and I hope to have the opportunity to take part in person in the future. For now, I am so pleased that I will be getting my medal and T-shirt – thanks.”

The Worcester City Half Marathon was organised by athletics legend Steve Cram’s company Events of the North, in partnership with Worcester City Council.


Along with the Worcester City 10K on the same day, the event attracted runners from around the UK, but Sheila Pereira’s entry did stand out.

“We organise events throughout the country and some of them do attract entries from overseas,” Mr Cram said.

“Those are usually from runners who are visiting the UK for another reason and have taken the opportunity to take part in a race while here. That’s what we assumed that Sheila was doing.

“When she explained what had happened and sent details of the half marathon distance that she ran on the same day as the Worcester Half Marathon, we were only too happy to send her a medal and T-shirt.

“We’d love to welcome Sheila in person next year – I don’t know much about Worcester, Massachusetts, but Worcester, England, is a beautiful city and well worth a visit.”

Founded in 2014, the Air Products Worcester City Run event has grown every year and a record field of 4,300 signed up for the 2019 Worcester City Half Marathon, 10K and Young Athletes Run.

Visit www.worcestercityrun.com for more information.

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